Welcome to "Take Care of It" (opens in new tab). Here are some best practices for upkeep and maintenance of your high-end fashion purchases.

While beat-up sneakers had their moment (around the same time as side-swept bangs), white sneakers (opens in new tab) are arguably the "freshest" look when it comes to sneaker styling. But no one said "flying" was easy. Because white sneakers look their most beautiful when kept clean. No need to be afraid. The name of the game is maintenance.

"I hate white sneakers, especially cloth ones!" I hate white sneakers," says Asimenia Polychronakis, a leather specialist at Minas Shoe Repair Shop in New York City. She utters the common advice to machine-wash sneakers, which can easily lead to a fiasco. Through her store, Polychronakis has been working on sneaker repairs that she believes can be easily done at home. She offers a few simple steps to keep your sneakers looking great on your own (opens in new tab).

"People were throwing their designer sneakers out there and coming into the store with deformed sneakers!" Polychronakis says. Polyclonakis says.

The old washing machine trick may have been intended for simpler, less expensive tennis shoes, rather than necessarily trying to transport luxury sneakers (open with a new tab) to their original state. Polychronakis warns not to be too cavalier about designer items: "Never put sneakers in the dryer, especially if they are made of leather and cost $500."

Washing methods may do wonders for simpler sneaker styles, but err on the side of caution when it comes to heat and tumbling. Or better yet, skip that part altogether and take the earlier steps of prevention first.

The main goal is to keep the sneakers immaculately white at all times. But there is no need to take the plunge too soon. Polychronakis kicks our panic to the curb.

If the scuffs get out of hand, it's time to enlist the help of a proper cleaner. Polychronakis has a cleaner to recommend: "Gonzo and Lincoln EZ Cleaner are suitable for both fabrics and leather. Gonzo and Lincoln EZ Cleaner can be used on both fabrics and leather. For fabric styles, she advises cleaning the entire sneaker. Use cleaner, water, and an old but clean toothbrush to wash all around the shoe. Then let them dry naturally (do not use the dryer!) .

I don't know who needs to hear this, but wear socks. With warmer weather approaching, now is the time to get a pack of sockless or get creative with your sock styling. Not to sound creepy, but socks keep sneakers crisp and white. Polychronakis has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. In many cases," he says, "sweat stains are hard to get out. I don't know if you want to know the details of that, but I'll take it as a warning.